The Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies was set up to organise talks, exhibitions and other cultural related activities for tourism students as well as for the general public. The Centre forms part of the Institution of Tourism Studies, the only post-secondary Institution in Malta that prepares the future workforce for the important Tourism industry in Malta. During its brief time since established, the Centre has organised art exhibitions, public talks, thematic cultural walks, and has hosted foreign experts to give talks to students and academic staff as well as the general public. The workshop will be held on the premises of the Institute, at St George’s Bay, St Julians where all the lecture rooms are well equipped.

Access / Transfers: Malta is well connected by air from all the major airports of Europe. Many budget airlines fly to Malta, while all the major airlines provide scheduled flights to the island.

Background to Malta Malta is a Mediterranean Island with remains going back millennia to prehistoric times. UNESCO has placed six of the above ground prehistoric temples on the World Heritage List, some of which are thought to be the oldest free standing buildings in the world. The providential arrival of the Apostle St Paul around 60 AD, introduced Christianity to Malta, and was to help Malta become known as the island of Paul. The attractions of these sites, and the visits paid by visitors throughout time, have led some to describe Malta as the Central Mediterranean holy island. The Knights of the Order of St John tried their best to increase this religious interest in Malta, as they tried to create a pilgrimage route to Malta, by supporting the creation of the cult of St Paul. Today, there are many sites, traditions and legends that are connected with this cult.The Maltese islands were home to the Religious Military Order of St John (now better known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta) from 1530 to 1798, and this led to an increase in religious manifestations, especially during the Baroque period. Today, the many parish churches are lavishly decorated, well kept, and a good portion of parishioners are highly involved in the organisation of the annual feast to their patron saint.The islands of Malta are a veritable showcase of religious traditions.